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Phil Schweik writes about his seasonal hunting and fishing patterns in Central Wisconsin along with tips and tactics on how to be successful while you are in the field or on the water.

Phil Schweik is a lifelong resident of Central Wisconsin who lives in Mosinee. Phil is a fishing and hunting guide for Hooksetters Guide Service and a professional musky tournament fisherman. He can be reached by checking out the Hooksetters’ website at www.hooksetters.biz.

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Water temperatures are now in the upper 50 to lower 60 degree range and the walleyes have finished spawning. The crappies are up shallow and on the beds, and the bass are staged to begin their spring ritual.

The walleyes have been very aggressive this past week with lots of fish being caught by guys running Wolf river rigs in 8 to 12 feet of water. A simple Wolf river rig set up is your line from your pole headed down to a three way swivel. From the swivel run one line approximately 8 inches long going to a bell sinker and another line preferably about 18 to 24 inches going to a small octopus style hook baited up with a large fathead minnow or night crawler. Lower this rig until the sinker hits the bottom and wait for the action to start.

Crappies are up in the shallows and a great way to take advantage of this is to get yourself a good pair of polarized sunglasses. Not only will the glasses protect your eyes they will allow you to see into the water giving you the ability to spot shallow running crappies as they make their beds. Once you locate the crappies a simple hook baited up with a small minnow will do the trick. Set the bait about 8 inches to a foot below a bobber and toss it onto the crappies bed. It wont take long and the action will start. For even more fun try a fly rod with a small popper, the action can be fast and furious.

Smallmouth bass have been very active this past week and a lot of nice fish have been caught including a whopper that Kurt Schultz caught on the Wisconsin River going 6 1/2 pounds. Most of the action is coming from shallow rocks in less than 4 feet of water. The bass have taking a variety of baits from jigs tipped with plastics to spinner baits and crankbaits. Top water action is just starting but as the water warms up it is really going to pickup.

Phil Schweik writes about his seasonal hunting and fishing patterns in Central Wisconsin along with tips and tactics on how to be successful while you are in the field or on the water.

Phil Schweik is a lifelong resident of Central Wisconsin who lives in Mosinee. Phil is a fishing and hunting guide for Hooksetters Guide Service and a professional musky tournament fisherman. He can be reached by checking out the Hooksetters’ website at www.hooksetters.biz.